What's on in Monaco 26 Apr-2 May 2018

April 26th Newsletter

Gentlemen prefer blondes (1)

What's new

Nice Matin this week reported on the trouble during last weekend's Top Marques. The event regularly attracts large numbers of fans of exotic cars and supercars who are less interested in visiting the salon than in making themselves the centre of attention.

After the car show closed for the evening on Saturday, crowds gathered at the Fairmont hairpin to watch and film drivers behaving irresponsibly. One German car was caught on camera revving up and drifting across the right-hand lane as a Monaco taxi makes its way uphill on the opposite side of the road.

More worrying are the exploits recorded in broad daylight. They show vehicles performing burnouts as they take the slip onto the voie rapide behind Ni Box, or accelerating and speeding through the boulevard Louis II tunnel as pedestrians line the pavement. Other videos show reckless motorists and their fans requisitioning Port Hercule access tunnel between avenue de la Quarantaine and quai Antoine 1er.

It's not a new phenomenon, although it seems to have increased this year. Since Top Marques 2017 new laws have been introduced in Monaco to combat noise pollution and dangerous driving, and police now have the power to impound vehicles for 48 hours and to fine the owners.

Some are calling for Top Marques to be closed down, but before that happens we could look elsewhere for inspiration. For instance, in Australia police can confiscate cars and number plates used for burnout for up to three months. It might be possible to start a database of offending number plates, which are clearly visible on YouTube videos, and ban them from entering Monaco.

Many of us who live and work in the Principality would like the new legislation to go further. After all, what is a 300 euros fine to a billionaire boy racer?